East Fremantle proved the outstanding team, and won the second of what would become seven successive minor premierships and four successive flags. Subiaco denied a Perth club bolstered by the return as coach of Jack Leckie – who had masterminded their pre-war successes including their only premiership to that point[1] – its first finals appearance since 1920 with a convincing last round win. Claremont-Cottesloe won more games than in its first three seasons combined and a brilliant mid-season burst looked to assure it of a finals berth before a September fade-out – but the Great Depression and the financial power of several wealthy VFL clubs[2] prevented the Tigers sustaining this improvement.[3]
Following the death in a truck accident of champion coach Phil Matson, an upheaval off the field during the summer,[4] and the retirement of numerous top players of their 1920s dynasty such as Bonny Campbell, Val Sparrow (who took to coaching the club), “Paddy” Hebbard, Joe O'Meara and Jack Walsh,[5] former powerhouse East Perth suffered its first wooden spoon since 1913 and lost a club record fifteen consecutive matches. The Royals were also affected by injuries to remaining key players Owens and Fletcher,[6] who missed several games and were never fully fit.
Sol Lawn of South Fremantle beat the record of Bonny Campbell for most goals in a WAFL season, finishing with ninety-six.[7]
South Fremantle come back from 31 points down to beat Perth, whilst Claremont-Cottesloe record a first-ever win[11] over an “experimental” East Fremantle lineup[12]
No teams had two wins after two rounds, as a succession of close finishes and the defeat of all the opening round victors suggested at this early stage that the seven clubs were very evenly matched.[16]
South Fremantle, with Sol Lawn maintaining an average of six goals a game despite Perth’s wettest May since 1879[27] win their fifth on end in a match memorable for former umpire Percy Trotter, who was a spectator, officiating in the last quarter after field umpire Frank O‘Connor had to leave the field because of a twisted knee and was replaced by boundary umpire Oakley.[28]
Claremont-Cottesloe led East Perth 7.8 (50) to 0.2 (2) at quarter-time before holding on to win by only four points; umpire Trotter was mobbed after the game[41]
Claremont-Cottesloe entered the top four for the first time in their history with a skilful display of precise ball movement that leaves them the sole unbeaten team since the clubs had met each other once.
Alan Evans kicked ten goals for Perth, and Frank Hopkins kicked eight goals for West Perth.
East Perth lost its eighth consecutive match, breaking its club-record from 1911 record of seven consecutive losses. The streak ultimately finished at 15 matches, which remains the club record as of 2014.[50]
The South Fremantle versus Perth game is brought forward fourteen weeks to allow Perth to tour the eastern states during a break for interstate football, and played as the only match on the days of the King’s Cup horse race.[16] Sol Lawn kicked eight goals.
The match between Subiaco and West Perth was affected by a hailstorm at three-quarter time, which saw players and spectators seek shelter for several minutes away from the grandstand, though there was no actual interruption.[65]
Claremont-Cottesloe kick their highest score in the WA(N)FL until 1937 and their first ever twenty-goal score,[69] leaving West Perth as the only existing club not to have scored twenty goals in a game.[b] The result leaves the Tigers three wins clear inside the top four.
Subiaco’s second-half recovery to beat South Fremantle leaves the red and whites’ battle with Claremont-Cottesloe a must-win for the latter team to remain with a final chance owing to their last-round bye and poor percentage.[76]
Claremont-Cottesloe dropped out of the running for the finals, but Perth kept its chances of playing major round football alive by easily beating East Fremantle, who were resting players for the finals.
Sol Lawn kicked thirteen goals to finish with ninety for the home-and-away season, in the process beating Bonny Campbell’s 1926 record of 82 for the home-and-away season and 89 for a full season with finals to come.[80]
East Perth ended its fifteen-match losing streak with a thrilling comeback win over minor premiers East Fremantle.
Subiaco played Perth in a match which directly determined which club finished fourth. Subiaco won convincingly, and with Faul dominating they kicked 11.6 (72) to 1.5 (11) after half-time.
On a windy day, East Fremantle set up its win by holding South Fremantle goalless in the second quarter when the latter had the aid of the wind. Sol Lawn, who entered the match with 96 goals for the season, was held scoreless by Woods.
Notes
a Awarded retrospectively in 1997 after losing on casting vote. b The other competing clubs’ first 20-goal scores were: Perth – 25.24 (174) v Subiaco in 1904; East Fremantle – 21.11 (137) v Midland Junction in 1905; Subiaco – 20.15 (135) v West Perth in 1913; South Fremantle – 22.15 (147) v Midland Junction in 1916; East Perth – 21.8 (134) v West Perth in 1926. North Fremantle kicked its only 20-goal score of 25.24 (174) against Subiaco as early as 1902, whilst West Perth was to score its first in 1933.
References
^East, Alan (2005); From Redlegs to Demons: A History of the Perth Football Club from 1899; p. 165
^Booth, Ross; ‘History of Player Recruitment, Transfer and Payment Rules in the Victorian and Australian Football League’; ASSH Bulletin No. 26 (June 1997); pp. 13-33
^Casey, Kevin (1995); The Tigers’ Tale: the origins and history of the Claremont Football Club; Claremont Football Club; p. 25. ISBN0646264982
^‘Club Prospects: East Perth’; The Western Mail, 11 April 1929, p. 25
^‘Teams Will Reveal Many Changes: Training Lists Greatly Reduced’; The Daily News, 19 April 1929, p. 8
^ ab‘An Inglorious Exhibition: Perth’s Runaway Win’; The West Australian, 15 July 1929, p. 16
^Devaney, John; Full Points Footy’s WA Football Companion; p. 201 ISBN9780955689710
^‘West’s Hollow Victory: Changes Weaken East Perth’; The West Australian, 22 April 1929, p. 7
^‘South’s Great Finish: Perth Narrowly Defeated’; The West Australian, 22 April 1929, p. 7
^‘Combine’s Promising Start: East Fremantle Just Beaten’; The West Australian, 22 April 1929, p. 7
^“Pivot” (pseudonymous author); ‘Win for Claremont; Two Close Finishes’; The West Australian, 22 April 1929, p. 7
^Lee, Jack; Celebrating 100 Years of Tradition: East Fremantle Football Club 1898-1997; pp. 147-148 ISBN0646358812
^‘Perth’s Win: Cardinals’ Reversal of Form’; The West Australian, 29 April 1929, p. 16
^‘Close Finish at Subiaco: East Fremantle Win by Seven Points’; The West Australian, 29 April 1929, p. 16
^‘Won in Third Quarter – East Perth Surprise Claremont’; The West Australian, 29 April 1929, p. 16
^ ab“Pivot” (pseudonymous author); ‘Surprise Results – East Perth Strike Form; Nissen Kicks Seven Goals’; The West Australian, 29 April 1929, p. 16
^‘Perth Fail Again – Poor Game at the Port’; The West Australian, 13 May 1929, p. 14
^‘South Too Solid: Claremont Weak in Attack’; The West Australian, 13 May 1929, p. 14
^‘Subiaco Win Easily: East Perth Outclassed’; The West Australian, 13 May 1929, p. 14
^‘South Win Again: East Perth Fail at the End’; The West Australian, 20 May 1929, p. 12
^‘Subiaco’s Accuracy: Claremont Fail in Keen Game’; The West Australian, 20 May 1929, p. 12
^‘Fast and Exciting – Cardinals Run off Their Feet’; The West Australian, 20 May 1929, p. 12
^‘Perth Strike Form: Claremont Well Beaten’; The West Australian, 2 September 1929, p. 14
^‘West’s Easy Victory – East Perth Beaten by 38 Points’; The West Australian, 2 September 1929, p. 14
^‘East’s Great Recovery: Seven Goals in Third Quarter’; The West Australian, 2 September 1929, p. 14
^‘Claremont Fail Again: West’s Easy Victory’; The West Australian, 9 September 1929, p. 12
^‘Perth Win Easily: Poor Game at W.A.C.A. Ground’; The West Australian, 9 September 1929, p. 12
^‘Subiaco’s Fine Recovery: South Beaten in Last Half’; The West Australian, 9 September 1929, p. 12
^“Pivot” (pseudonymous author); ‘Football: League Premiership – Combine’s Position; Subiaco Beats Souths’; The West Australian, 9 September 1929, p. 12
^‘Claremont Drop Out – South Win by a Strong Finish’; The West Australian, 16 September 1929, p. 14
^‘Subiaco Win Again:East Perth Beaten by 26 Points’; The West Australian, 16 September 1929, p. 14
^‘Leaders Outclassed – Perth Show Improvement’; The West Australian, 16 September 1929, p. 14
^ ab‘Lawn’s Two Records – South Fremantle’s Easy Win’; The West Australian, 23 September 1929, p. 13
^‘East Perth Surprise – Leaders Beaten by Five Points’; The West Australian, 23 September 1929, p. 13
^‘Subiaco Finish well: Perth Beaten in Hard Game’; The West Australian, 23 September 1929, p. 13
^‘First Semi-Final – South’s Narrow Win; Record Crowd Watches Game’; The West Australian; 30 September 1929; p. 13
^‘Second Semi-Final – Weather Spoils Game, Subiaco Easily Beaten’, The West Australian; 7 October 1929; p. 25
^“Pivot” (pseudonymous author); ‘Football – Old East Premiers; Disappointing Game’; The West Australian, 14 October 1929, p. 11